APPLYING FOR REISSUE OF AN INDIAN PASSPORT IN USA - CHANGE OF NAME
I'm updating my blog after a hiatus of five years. What better way to update than writing about my own experience in applying for a new Indian passport, here in the US. When I searched online to find out more about the procedure to apply for a new Indian passport after a change in name, I couldn't find one place which gave me a step by step instruction (Indian Consulate, Houston website is confusing). That's when I decided to update my blog with this information. Hope it helps :)
First of all, let me give some background information. I'm currently in the US on a student visa (F1) and had a Last Name consisting of two words and a total of 22 characters. This is a situation which most of the people from my native state Karnataka or South India in general encounter. I was determined to change this really long last name but was told by lot of people that since I am in US already, the procedure is cumbersome and time consuming. I thought maybe that was true and the only way to change my last name was:
1. Go to India and get my name changed.
2. Apply for a new passport
3. Get your visa stamped
Since this requires a lot of time, the priority of getting my name changed decreased though I loathed my long last name.
Note: As of July 2011, applying for re-issue of passport after change of name CANNOT be processed under TATKAAL in India. It takes 30 calendar days to obtain a passport under normal circumstances.
(Bangalore, RPO)
These are some of the things that I did:
1. Change your name in India.
I went to a notary and got my name changed. There is a specific format to get your name changed. It's Appendix E and has been put on the Indian passport website (passport.gov.in. )I would advise people to get another affidavit spending an equal amount of money in the "generic" format which can be used for other purposes in India.
Time taken: Couple of hours - 1 day
Cost: Rs. 150
2. Advertise in a Newspaper
Go to any newspaper office and they would have the format to advertise change of name.
If you are applying for a passport in India, you need to advertise in two papers. Since we are applying in US, advertising in one newspaper in the area of permanent residence is sufficient.
I would recommend advertising in two newspapers.
Cost: Rs640
Time Taken: Couple of hours - 1 day
It may take a few days for your advertisement to appear in the newspaper. Take 5 original newspaper copies since you cant get them at a later date.
3. Change your name in USA
Go to the county clerk office and get your name changed. Process varies from county to county. In some counties it is mandatory to appear in front of the judge.
Time taken: Couple of hours
Cost: $58 ( It depends on each county )
4. Advertise in a newspaper in USA
Fill out the change of name affidavit given on consulate web page. Get the copy notarized. You can either get it notarized at any bank or the city hall. Take both the court order (obtained in step 3) along with the notarized affidavit to advertise in a newspaper. If the newspaper does not have a format, you can use the format used in India.
Cost: $30.10
Time taken: Couple of hours
Similar to procedure in India. Keep about 5 copies of original newspaper. It may take a week for your advertisement to appear in the newspaper.
5. Notarizing the documents
I got the following documents notarized.
a. Two proofs of residence ( Lease agreement and Drivers License )
b. First 5 and last 2 pages of Indian Passport
c. Color photocopy of VISA. ( I guess B/W photocopy should be sufficient )
Time taken: Couple of Hours
6. Checklist of documents
a. Paste a 2" X 2" photo on the application form ( you can also use the Indian passport size photo which is 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm ) Also include two other photographs in a separate envelope.
b. Postal Money Order or Cashier's Check for $60 or $210 (in case you are applying under TATKAAL )
c. Photocopy of Drivers License duly notarized.
d. Photocopy of Rental Agreement duly notarized.
e. Photocopy of first 5 and last 2 pages of passport duly notarized.
f. Photocopy of VISA duly notarized.
g. Original newspaper clippings of name change advertisement in US and India. (send the entire sheet)
h. Original affidavit of name change in India and US.
I found out the Indian Consulate, San Francisco web page to be helpful in order to fill in the application form. Mail all the documents using either USPS Express/Priority Mail or FedEx/UPS. I do not know of the processing time as it can vary depending on the Consulate that you apply. I sent my passport to the Houston consulate on a Monday(overnight) and received my new passport on Friday of the same week.
NOTE:
* Students on F1 visa who are on OPT can change their name provided their H1B has not been filed.
* Once H1B has been filed using old name, then changing the name is really cumbersome. So, make sure that your H1B has been filed using the new (correct) name.
* It is not mandatory for the candidate to apply for a new OPT under the new name. However, please consult USCIS
Once you get the new passport, make sure to change your social security and your drivers license. Good Luck!! Please share your experience(s) and help others :)
Update:
From October 1, 2012, Passport applications will only be accepted at the Indian Consulate in Atlanta. Residents of the following US States and Territories can apply: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands.
I'm updating my blog after a hiatus of five years. What better way to update than writing about my own experience in applying for a new Indian passport, here in the US. When I searched online to find out more about the procedure to apply for a new Indian passport after a change in name, I couldn't find one place which gave me a step by step instruction (Indian Consulate, Houston website is confusing). That's when I decided to update my blog with this information. Hope it helps :)
First of all, let me give some background information. I'm currently in the US on a student visa (F1) and had a Last Name consisting of two words and a total of 22 characters. This is a situation which most of the people from my native state Karnataka or South India in general encounter. I was determined to change this really long last name but was told by lot of people that since I am in US already, the procedure is cumbersome and time consuming. I thought maybe that was true and the only way to change my last name was:
1. Go to India and get my name changed.
2. Apply for a new passport
3. Get your visa stamped
Since this requires a lot of time, the priority of getting my name changed decreased though I loathed my long last name.
Note: As of July 2011, applying for re-issue of passport after change of name CANNOT be processed under TATKAAL in India. It takes 30 calendar days to obtain a passport under normal circumstances.
(Bangalore, RPO)
These are some of the things that I did:
1. Change your name in India.
I went to a notary and got my name changed. There is a specific format to get your name changed. It's Appendix E and has been put on the Indian passport website (passport.gov.in. )I would advise people to get another affidavit spending an equal amount of money in the "generic" format which can be used for other purposes in India.
Time taken: Couple of hours - 1 day
Cost: Rs. 150
2. Advertise in a Newspaper
Go to any newspaper office and they would have the format to advertise change of name.
If you are applying for a passport in India, you need to advertise in two papers. Since we are applying in US, advertising in one newspaper in the area of permanent residence is sufficient.
I would recommend advertising in two newspapers.
Cost: Rs640
Time Taken: Couple of hours - 1 day
It may take a few days for your advertisement to appear in the newspaper. Take 5 original newspaper copies since you cant get them at a later date.
3. Change your name in USA
Go to the county clerk office and get your name changed. Process varies from county to county. In some counties it is mandatory to appear in front of the judge.
Time taken: Couple of hours
Cost: $58 ( It depends on each county )
4. Advertise in a newspaper in USA
Fill out the change of name affidavit given on consulate web page. Get the copy notarized. You can either get it notarized at any bank or the city hall. Take both the court order (obtained in step 3) along with the notarized affidavit to advertise in a newspaper. If the newspaper does not have a format, you can use the format used in India.
Cost: $30.10
Time taken: Couple of hours
Similar to procedure in India. Keep about 5 copies of original newspaper. It may take a week for your advertisement to appear in the newspaper.
5. Notarizing the documents
I got the following documents notarized.
a. Two proofs of residence ( Lease agreement and Drivers License )
b. First 5 and last 2 pages of Indian Passport
c. Color photocopy of VISA. ( I guess B/W photocopy should be sufficient )
Time taken: Couple of Hours
6. Checklist of documents
a. Paste a 2" X 2" photo on the application form ( you can also use the Indian passport size photo which is 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm ) Also include two other photographs in a separate envelope.
b. Postal Money Order or Cashier's Check for $60 or $210 (in case you are applying under TATKAAL )
c. Photocopy of Drivers License duly notarized.
d. Photocopy of Rental Agreement duly notarized.
e. Photocopy of first 5 and last 2 pages of passport duly notarized.
f. Photocopy of VISA duly notarized.
g. Original newspaper clippings of name change advertisement in US and India. (send the entire sheet)
h. Original affidavit of name change in India and US.
I found out the Indian Consulate, San Francisco web page to be helpful in order to fill in the application form. Mail all the documents using either USPS Express/Priority Mail or FedEx/UPS. I do not know of the processing time as it can vary depending on the Consulate that you apply. I sent my passport to the Houston consulate on a Monday(overnight) and received my new passport on Friday of the same week.
NOTE:
* Students on F1 visa who are on OPT can change their name provided their H1B has not been filed.
* Once H1B has been filed using old name, then changing the name is really cumbersome. So, make sure that your H1B has been filed using the new (correct) name.
* It is not mandatory for the candidate to apply for a new OPT under the new name. However, please consult USCIS
Once you get the new passport, make sure to change your social security and your drivers license. Good Luck!! Please share your experience(s) and help others :)
Update:
From October 1, 2012, Passport applications will only be accepted at the Indian Consulate in Atlanta. Residents of the following US States and Territories can apply: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands.
